As I have written about previously, there is no one-size-fits-all dosage of cannabis, and that also extends to the cannabinoids that the cannabis plant contains. Human biology is very complex, and what is ‘too much’ for one person may be ‘not enough’ for the next person. Proper cannabis dosing is patient and situation-specific.

With that in mind, this week the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set what it considers to be a “safe” consumption level for cannabidiol (CBD), and by many measures, the dosage level is very low.

“In an updated statement, EFSA’s expert Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) set a provisional safe intake level for CBD of 0.0275 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (approximately 2 mg/day for a 70 kg adult).” EFSA wrote in a news release.

“The provisional safe level applies solely to food supplement formulations containing CBD with a purity of at least 98%, without nanoparticles, and for which the production process is deemed safe and genotoxicity has been excluded.” EFSA also wrote.

“This compares with a limit of 10 mg per day in Britain, 12 mg per day in Switzerland, and a range of 20-200 mg per day, for a maximum of 30 days, in Canada, provided users discuss the use of all other medications and substances used with their pharmacist.” pointed out Reuters in its coverage of the announcement.

Several peer-reviewed studies and reviews have examined CBD dosage levels, safety, and efficacy for treating a wide range of conditions. One such example from 2023 was conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of Sydney.

“The review includes interventional studies that measured the clinical efficacy in any health condition and/or safety and tolerability of oral CBD dosed at less than or equal to 400 mg per day in adult populations (i.e., ≥18 years of age). Studies were excluded if the product administered had a Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol content greater than 2.0%. Therapeutic benefits of CBD became more clearly evident at doses greater than or equal to 300 mg. Increased dosing from 60 to 400 mg/day did not appear to be associated with an increased frequency of adverse effects.” the researchers wrote.

“At doses of 300-400 mg, there is evidence of efficacy with respect to reduced anxiety, as well as anti-addiction effects in drug-dependent individuals. More marginal and less consistent therapeutic effects on insomnia, neurological disorders, and chronic pain were also apparent.” the researchers concluded.

Ultimately, there are still other bureaucratic hurdles, decisions, and processes set to take place before CBD industry regulations are finalized for the wider European market, so only time will tell what impact the announced EFSA standard will have.